SB397 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mark Slade Blackwell

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Business licenses, Alabama Business License Reform Act, Revenue Department required to implement and administer an online site for applying for, purchasing, and renewing state, and municipal business licenses, Online Filing System Advisory Committee, state business license fee, exceptions provided, Secs. 11-3-11.1, 34-1-11, 34-3-3, 34-9-3, 34-24-50, 34-24-334, 34-33A-12, 40-2A-15, 40-12-2, 40-12-10, 40-12-30, 40-12-391, 40-12-392, 40-12-395, 40-12-398, 40-12-413, 40-16-6 am'd.; Secs. 11-3-11.2, 11-3-11.3, 11-3-11.4, 11-3-11.5, 11-3-11.6, 11-80-10.1, 11-80-11.1 added; Secs. 40-12-3, 40-12-4, 40-12-40 to 40-12-180, inclusive, 40-12-310 to 40-12-319, inclusive, 40-12-393 repealed; Secs. 40-12-4.1 through 40-12-8 renumbered

Summary

The bill would create a statewide online system for applying, purchasing, and renewing state and county business licenses, with phased participation by counties and municipalities and new license fees.

What This Bill Does

It requires the Department of Revenue (or a contracted vendor) to build and maintain an online filing system for all state and county licenses. Beginning Oct 1, 2015, counties must participate and by Jan 1, 2017, municipalities must join; the system charges a $150 annual state license fee plus a $15 online access fee, and counties may add $50 per location. It repeals most existing county license fees from local acts (except Jefferson County) and designates an online system as the primary Internet method for license applications, with limited in-person options still allowed. The act also creates an Online Filing System Advisory Committee and a Municipal Business License Interim Task Force to guide implementation and requires comprehensive code amendments and reorganizations.

Who It Affects

• Businesses (licensable entities) with one or more locations in Alabama, including corporations and sole proprietorships: they would pay a $150 state license fee plus $50 for each additional location (sole proprietors pay $20 for the state license), plus a $15 per-use online access fee, and must use the online system for license processing once fully implemented.
• Counties and municipalities: they would participate in the online system, may impose county license fees ($50 per location where allowed), and would have duties to distribute revenues and integrate local licensing with the statewide system; Jefferson County is exempt from the new county license fee due to a preexisting act.

Key Provisions

• Creates and requires maintenance of an Online Filing System by the Department of Revenue (or a contractor), with counties required to participate by Oct 1, 2015 and municipalities by Jan 1, 2017, and makes the online system the exclusive Internet method for applying for state and county licenses.
• Imposes new license fee structure (state $150 per licensable entity plus $50 per additional location; sole proprietors $20; $15 per online access) and repeals most existing county license fees from local acts (with Jefferson County remaining governed by its own act); establishes advisory committees and a municipal task force to guide implementation.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Business Licenses